{"id":549552,"date":"2020-04-14T05:36:26","date_gmt":"2020-04-14T09:36:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonfootball.com\/?p=549552"},"modified":"2020-04-14T05:36:26","modified_gmt":"2020-04-14T09:36:26","slug":"report-chelsea-close-in-on-max-bird-signing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2020\/04\/14\/report-chelsea-close-in-on-max-bird-signing\/","title":{"rendered":"REPORT: Chelsea Close in On Max Bird Signing"},"content":{"rendered":"

Chelsea<\/a> will need to pay \u00a35 million to secure the transfer of 19-year-old Max Bird<\/a> from Derby County<\/a>, Wayne Veysey from Football Insider<\/a> reports.<\/p>\n

Blues boss Frank Lampard<\/a>, and assistant Jody Morris<\/a>, worked with Bird at Derby last season. The pair now want to bring the youngster to Stamford Bridge this summer.<\/p>\n

Chelsea Close in On Max Bird Signing<\/h2>\n

Hot Prospect<\/h3>\n

Central midfielder Bird has impressed at Pride Park. He rose through the youth ranks and made his maiden first-team appearance last season under Lampard.<\/p>\n

Bird made 27 appearances overall for Derby and new manager Phillip Cocu<\/a> kept faith in the 19-year-old this season. He started 12 Championship games and made two assists.<\/p>\n

Before the season was suspended in early March due to the spread of Coronavirus, Bird impressed during a run of games throughout January and February.<\/p>\n

The teenager started nine consecutive matches and seemingly secured the defensive midfielder role in Cocu’s Derby side.<\/p>\n

A Cheaper Option for Lampard<\/h3>\n

At \u00a35 million, Bird would prove to be a cheaper acquisition for Lampard this summer.<\/p>\n

While Derby may be reluctant to part with their talented midfielder, it may be a case of necessity for the Rams as the Coronavirus pandemic continues to affect clubs’ finances across the country.<\/p>\n

Lampard’s Admiration for Bird<\/h3>\n

It’s no secret that Lampard likes Bird and his style of play. The former Rams manager was full of praise for the youngster<\/a> at the end of last season whilst still managing Derby.<\/p>\n

As quoted in the Derby Telegraph<\/a>, Lampard said: “He stands out as a young man. He is very polite with everyone, has a real desire to improve and he\u2019s a good team-mate.<\/p>\n

“Whether it has been for the youth teams or when he has been with the first team, he is an all-rounder.<\/p>\n

“I have found him to be a great lad and our relationship is really good. I\u2019d be pleased for him as an individual.”<\/p>\n

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Main Photo<\/p>\n

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Embed from Getty Images<\/a>